Method and apparatus for making boxes



' Sept. 2 2, 1925. 1,554,203

F. J.v DOLAN n'l'aoo AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING BOXES Filed April 1923 Z 7 INVEN'TOR Ema (7 m. l wia m s A TTORNE Y6 Patented Sept. 22, 1925, i

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE.-'

FRANK J. DOLAN, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, assisnon ro'aosnrn M. PRICE, or

. NEW YORK, N. Y. 1

mn'rnon AND ArrAnA'rUs FOR MAKING IBQXES.

Application filed April s,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. DOLAN, a

citizen of the United States, residing at declare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for making paper boxes, and more particularly those made in the cylindrical form of paper, card-board and other similar material.

The invention is also directed to a box element made in accordance with the method and by the apparatus which will later be described, i

Boxes of'the type referred to are in general use for the I distribution of various forms of merchandise, such as cosmetics, candy, etc., and as customarily made, they consist of a tubular or cylindrical body provided with a cover. Quite often the cover member consists of a head and an annular flange which. fits over a reduced ortion of the body. This portion of reduce diameter may either be made as an integral part of i the cylindrical side wall of the body, or else there may be used a tubular sleeve or ring which fits within the body and extends beyond the end of the cylindrical portion. This sleeve serves the purpose of a connecting member and provides a means of holding the cover in place, the latter telescoping over the sleeve with a slight amount of friction, so thatit may not work free accidentally In the manufacture of boxes of the type referred to, the cylindrical side walls are cut from long tubes of the paper or card board material, these tubes being made of strips Wrapped about a mandrel and held together by an adhesive. A typical box for use with cosmetics, such as face powder, for instance, will consist of a body member, consisting of one or more interfitting rings, a head held in place to close one end of these rings, a connecting member fitting within the body member and extending beyond the open end of it, and a cover consisting of one or more rings, together wlth a head also held in place at one end of these rings. Since the 1923. Serial No. 632,195.

tubes used are more or less flexible it is usual to buildup theside walls ofseveral rings, to give the desired rigidity and strength, and the connecting member, over which th cover will be fitted and removed many times when the box is in use, is also built up in the same way.

To give the box an attractive appearance, quite frequently the cover is provided with a head made of two discs, one of which is flat, the other slightly domed, so that it extends beyond the plane of the'end of the sidewalls. Also it is usual to give the raw edges of the rings a finished appearance by beading, the edges being subjected to pressure in a rotary die, so that the die will turn over the edges to produce a smooth curl or bead. Such a bead is especially'useful in the case of'a side wall made of two telescop-- ing rings, since a bead formed on the outer ring will serve to overlie the inner one, and so hold it in place, while at the same time providing a smooth surface which will withstand wear. Again, a bead on the outer ring will providean abutment against'which the discs forming the head may be secured.

To protect the contents of these boxes, cs-

pecially when the contents are in such form v as to be easily lost through small openings'a protective partition. 1s sometimes used; This partition is secured in place across the body member so as to cover thecontents and, in

boxes as made heretofore, it has been stand 1 ard practice to use a thin sheet material,

such as bond paper. To give the box a finished appearance, this sheet or diaphragm concealed by slipping the outer ring in place. When the contents are to be used, the protective sheet is cut or torn away.

To mount a protective sheet in place in the manner described is laborious and expensive, since it must be done altogether by v hand, and furthermore 1t 1s not always satisfactory since it is difficult to stretch the sheet taut and to apply the adhesive with out defacing the exposed portion of the sheet.

Another difficulty in making boxes of the type described resides in securing the head in place in the body member or cover. One

method for doing this consists in using a body or cover formed of two rings, and then clamping the head between the end of the inner ring and a bead formed on the outer ring. This method is quite satishio tory, but, in boxes having a domed cover, the head is made up of a flat disc and a domed disc the edges of both discs being clamped in the manner described. However, in this method it is necessary to use a flat disc made of relatively stitl material in order that it may remain firmly in place. It would be possible to substitute for the fiat disc a diaphragm of light material such as is used for the protective sheet, with equally goodresults as regards appearance and wearing qualities but again, the cost of mounting the diaphragm by present methods is prohibitive.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus by which a box may be quickly and cheaply made, this box having its heads secured in place by diaphragms, and the connecting member having the desired protective sheet. More specifically, the invention is intended to provide a method and apparatus for mounting a diaphragm or protective sheet in a box member for any of the several PHI- poses suggested.

Also the invention is directed to a box member having such a diaphragm or protective sheet which has an improved ap pearance and which all'ords certain advan tages by reason of the manner in which it is constructed.

Briefly stated, the method of the invention consists of making a box member of two rings having a driving fit, and, in assembling these rings, clamping the edges of a protective sheet between them, so that the sheet is held taut and secured in place in the same operation that fits one ring into the other.

To make the invention clear reference is now to be made to the accompanying drawings showing one form of apparatus by which the process may be practised. In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view of the apparatus in side elevation with parts in section.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a difiierent' stage in the manufacture, the parts having been moved to different positions.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the bed plate of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 4.el Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a box cover made in accordance with the new method.

As shown, the machine is providedwith a bed-plate or table 6, which is suitably supported in any convenient manner. This table is preferably made of iron, finished smooth and provided with a central recess 7 from which extends a shallower channel 8 to the front edge of the table. The central recess is made of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the box which is to be assembled and as indicated at 9, Fig. 1 the recess will be hollowed out to accommodate a domed cover as will later be described.

Mounted above the table on a number of upright posts 10, is a guide plate 11, these posts being encircled by coil springs 12 which support the guide plate resiliently. Extending upward from the table is a number of stop posts 13 which may take the form of set-screws, so that their height may be adjusted as desired. The posts 10 pass through apertures in the guide plate so that the plate may move freely up and down these posts when pressure is applied. The stops 13 limit the downward movement or the guide plate and the posts 10 have nuts 14 at their ends which serve as stops to limit the upward movement of the plate.

Through the guide plate and directly over the central recess in the table is an aperture 15, the lower rim of which flares outwardly as shown at 16, so as to provide an annular shoulder 17 around the aperture. The upper rim of the aperture is rounded for a purpose which will later be explained.

Mounted above the guide plate is a plunger 18, which is in registry with the aperture in the plate and the recess in the table. The mechanical devices by which the plunger is operated are not shown but any system of levers, linkage or the like may be used to raise and lower the plunger, the force being applied through a treadle or hand lever and the plunger being mounted in a suitable bearing in a part of the sup porting frame of the machine. The plunger 18 has a portion 19 which is o1 a diameter only slightly less than that of the aperture 15 and another portion 20 which is of a reduced diameter, so that a box ring may be slipped over the end portion 19, and moved with the plunger through the aperturc. The plunger is designed so that the ring support 19 will be of substantially the same length as the ring which is to be used.

Mounted on the guide plate is a pair of edge guides 21, 22, which serve as a means to center the sheet which is to be anchored in place.

The operation of the machine is as follows. Suppose that connecting members are to be made, with one end closed by a thin sheet. The outer ring of the connecting member is placed in the channel in the table and moved into the central recess as at 23. The outer end, that is, the one which is to be exposed and across which the sheet is to be held, is placed down so that it is supported in contact with the bottom of the recess. The ring shown at 23 has an internalbead 24 at its outer end, but this is a matter of choice, since the sheet may be placed in position regardlessof the ring being beaded.

The next step in the operation; is to place the sheet on the guide plate over the aperture, the sheet being centered by means of guides 21, 22. The inner ring which is of a diameter onlyslightly less than that of the outer ring, is then slipped over the end of the plunger and up against the shoulder 19. The plunger is then moved down carrying with it the inner ring, until the end of the latter bears against the sheet. At first, the resistance of the sheet to being forced through the aperture will cause the guide plate to be depressed against the springs 12, but as the plunger continues down, the sheet, held taut against the end of the inner ring will begin to pass through the aperture. The upper edges of the aperture are slightly rounded so that the pressure exerted will not tear the sheet but will cause it to yield and to fold upon itself. As the plate moves down the flared portion 16 centers the upper end of the outer ring and brings it against the shoulder 17, the stops 13 being so adjusted, however, that the plate will be prevented from exerting a pressure on the outer ring, which might cause it to collapse. Finally the plunger carrying the inner ring and the sheet passes into the outer ring, and it is moved downwardly as far as it will go, when the end of the inner ring will abut the bead 24. The plunger may now be retracted and the friction between the two rings is such that the inner ring remains in place and when the plunger is clear, the connecting member is finished.

The edges of the sheet which is of a greater diameter than the rings will be folded so as to be between the edges of the rings and the guide plate with its yielding mounting assists in directing the sheet into place without its being torn or otherwise damaged. The movement of the guide plate with th plunger also ensures that the sheet will be properly centered and not pulled to one side so that its edge may work loose from between the ends of the rings. As has been described, the guide plate moves with the plunger to center the receiving ring, but is prevented from exerting pressure on this ring, thereby holding the upper edge of the outer ring against the flaring wall of the aperture and keeping it from damage while the. inner ring is being moved into place.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, the two rings are shown in place onthe plunger and in the central recess respectively, with the sheet lying over the aperture in the guide plate. In Fig. 2, the plunger is at the end of its downward path, and the rings are fitted one within the other with the sheet gripped between them. In these figures, the-outer ring is shown as beaded at its lower end but this is not a necessity, since the edges of the sheet extend upwardly between the rings for some little distance and so serve to anhead in place within it at the lower end is,

placed in the central recess, which is shaped to accommodate the head, as has been explained. The inner ring is then slipped over the plunger, the diaphragm sheet placed on the guide plate and the plunger depressed to bring the parts together. lVhen so assembled, the head is held securely in place both by the diaphragm and.

the inner ring, for it is to be understood that in the case either of the connecting member or the cover, th inner and outer rings are of an extremely close fit, so close in fact that the two rings could not readily be assembled by hand, and could not be so assembled as to grip the sheet, without exerting pressures which would crumple or distort the light ring walls. However in the present method all of the various parts of the different box members are supported and protected during the assembling so that the necessary forces may be applied without damage. i

The body of the box may also be made in the same manner as has been described in connection with the cover, although the box itself will usually have a flat bottom instead of a domed one. This flat disc, however, is used in the same manner as the domed head, and the diaphragm will be fiat against it, thus giving additional strength.

It will be seen that box members made in accordance with the present method have an unusual degree of strength and rigidity, and are assembled quickly and without the necessity of expert attention. The parts of the box may be quickly placed in position in the apparatus and it is not necessary to adjust the device exactly in order to obtain the best results. Also, there are few moving parts and none that are not cheaply made, and of rugged construction. The box members produced are light and strong and the two rings are so held together by their close fit and the wedging action of the margin of the diaphragm that no other securing means is necessary. At the same time, the sheet is gripped tightly without adhesive and anchored firmly in place. The single operation of inserting one ring within the other in such a way as to carry the sheet with it, thus serves the purpose of assem- This cover is assembled inbling the rings, mounting the sheet in place, anchoring or holding it in place, securing the rings together and in some cases, securing head in place in the rings.

It should be pointed out that the sheets used are of a thin material which will readily fold in the manner required. 2 and 5, the diaphragn'i has been shown as having a thickness substantially the same as that of the rings, but this exaggeration is necessary to make clear the position that the sheet will assume. Bond paper is one of several materials which is well adapted for use as a diaphragm and a sheet of this used to secure a head in place in a box body or cover is much cheaper than the flat paper or card-board discs previously used.

I claim:

1. A method of making tubular box members, consisting of inner and outer rings and a partition closing the rings, which includes telescoping said inner ring into said outer ring, while holding the peripheral margin of said partition between the opposed surfaces of said rings.

2. A method of making tubular box members, consisting of inner and outer rings and a partition closing said rings, which comprises supporting said outer ring rigidly, and moving said inner ring against said partition and into said outer ring to carry said partition with it with the peripheral margin of the partition lying between the adjacent surfaces of the rings.

3. A method of making tubular box members consisting of inner and outer rings and a partition closing the rings which comprises holding the outer ring against movement and moving the inner ring against the partition and into the outer ring so as to carry the partition with it, while support ing the area of the partition defined by the inner ring and by such movement folding the peripheral margin of the partition backwardly against the outer surface of the inner ring so that this peripheral margin will lie between the rings.

4. A method of making tubular box members consisting of inner and outer rings and a partition closing the rings which comprises placing the outer ring on a rigid support, supporting the partition yieldingly thereabove, and moving the inner ring against the partition and into the outer ring and by such movement folding the peripheral margin of the partition backwardly against the outer surface of the inner ring so that this peripheral margin will lie between the rings.

5. A method of making tubular box members consisting of inner and outer rings and a partition closing the rings which comprises holding the outer ring against move ment, supporting the partition on a yielding support thereover, and moving the in- In Figs. 1,

ner ring against the partition to carry it through the sup-port and into the outer ring wlth its peripheral margin folded back by the relative movement of the inner ring and the outer rin to carr the aartition with it while supporting that area of th partition defined by the inner ringduring such move ment.

7. A method of making tubular box members, consisting of inner and outer rings and a partition, which comprises support ing said outer ring on a rigid support, supporting said partition on a yielding apertured member there above, and moving said inner ring against said partition and into said outer ring whereby to clamp the peripheral margin of said partition between said inner and outer rings.

8. A method of making tubular box members, consisting of inner and outer rings and a partition closing the rings, which comprises rigidly supporting said outer ring and maintaining it against lateral move ment, supporting said partition on a yielding support over an aperture centered above said outer ring, and moving said inner ring against said partition through said aperture and into said outer ring, whereby to clamp the peripheral margin of said partition between said inner and outer rings.

9. Apparatus for making tubular box members comprising a table having a central recess adapted to receive a portion of the box member and a shallower lateral channel extending to the side of the table from the main recess, an apertured plate resiliently supported above the table and provided with edge guides for a partition, an adjustable stop extending upwardly from the face of the table for limiting the move ment of the plate, and a solid plunger having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the aperture through the plate and having a portion of reduced diameter at its lower end, this plunger being movable through the plate and to the recess in the table.

10. Apparatus for making tubular box members comprising a table having a recess adapted to receive a box member and a shallower lateral channel of a width corresponding to the greatest dimension of the recess and extending to the edge of the table, a plate resiliently mounted above the table and having an aperture corresponding to the shape of the recess but of slightly less dimensions, edge guides mounted on the upper surface of the plate, an

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adjustable stop disposed on the upper face of the table and a plunger movable through the aperture and having a shape corresponding to the shape of the recess in the table, this plunger having a portion of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the aperture and another portion of reduced diameter, this plunger being movable through the aperture to the recess in the table.

11. In apparatus for making tubular box members, a table having a recess with a domed bottom and of a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the box member to be made, and a lateral channel of less depth than the recess extending from the edge thereof to the edge of the table.

12. Apparatus for making tubular box members comprising a table having a recess, a resiliently supported guide plate movable toward and away from said table and having an aperture above said recess, and a plunger mounted above said plate and movable through said aperture toward and away from said table, said plunger having a portion of a diameter substantially equal to that of the recess and another portion of reduced diameter terminating in a shoulder of a depth corresponding to the thickness of a box member tobe mounted upon it.

13. In apparatus for making tubular box members, the combination of a table having a central recess and a lateral recess connecting therewith, and an apertured plate resiliently supported over the table and movable toward and away from the latter.

14. Apparatus for making tubular box members, comprising inner and outer rings and a partition closing the rings, which comprises means for supporting the outer ring, means for supporting the partition thereover, 'and means for carrying the inner ring against the partition and into the outer ring, the said means having a portion engaging that area of the partition defined by the inner ring for supporting the same during its movement into the outer ring.

15. Apparatus for making tubular box members, comprising inner and outer rings and a partition closing the rings, which comprises means for supportingthe outer ring movable means for supporting the partition thereover, and means, movable through said partition supporting means, for carrying the inner ring against the partition and i'or moving both the inner ring and the paitition into the outer ring, the said means having a portion adapted to abut that area of the partition defined by the inner ring and to support the same during its movement into the outer ring.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRANK J. DOLAN. 

